January 11th
I fell in love with you
the way you fall asleep—
slowly,
then all at once.
At first, I wasn’t sure it was happening,
just a quiet hum beneath the surface.
But then it hit me,
like a tidal wave,
as I held your sweating forehead
in that doctor’s office in Mérida.
It smacked me across the face,
like the universe whispering,
“How could you not have known?
It’s been this way since the day you met him.”
The realization washed over me,
unforgiving and absolute.
There was no going back,
no pretending I hadn’t seen
the truth of what my heart had known all along.
The same way tears filled my eyes
when we pulled up to that yellow hacienda.
I told you I didn’t know why—
but my heart felt so happy.
I couldn’t compute then
what my soul had already decided.
That was January 11th.
That was the day I fell madly in love with you.
When I looked at that yellow hacienda,
its gliding white staircases leading upward,
all I could see was us—
tux and gown,
committing to forever.
And just like that,
there was no other way.
Only you,
only us.
Love has a unique way of presenting itself in our lives, often catching us off guard and sweeping us away before we can fully grasp what’s happening. The day you realize you’ve fallen for someone might feel surreal, as if a wave of emotion has arrived without warning. Many people experience this moment during significant events or small, seemingly mundane instances that suddenly hold deep meaning. For some, it could be a gentle touch in a doctor's office that ignites a spark, or a simple yet striking piece of architecture that encapsulates a vision of a shared future. Such experiences can inspire feelings of joy, contentment, and an unshakeable bond between two souls. Moments like these not only cement connections but also act as milestones that mark the beginning of lifelong journeys together. When you engage with poetry that captures the essence of love, you can often feel transported back to those meaningful occasions. The way words can articulate those poignant feelings reflects how universal the experience of love truly is. Whether it’s a memory tied to a special date like January 11th or an everyday moment transformed into something beautiful, poetry resonates with our deepest emotions, providing solace and connection to others in the writing community. It's through such expressions that we find common ground, shared experiences, and the ability to connect deeply with the feelings that bind us all.
